The BrF3 molecule has a T-shaped geometry and the bromine has 2 lone pairs in its valence shell.  To which symmetry point group does BrF3 belong? [3 marks]

The BrF3 molecule, with its T-shaped geometry and two lone pairs of electrons on the bromine atom, belongs to the C2v symmetry point group. This is determined by the presence of a vertical mirror plane and a C2 rotation axis. The vertical mirror plane cuts through the molecule along the plane of the three fluorine atoms, and the C2 rotation axis is along the line through the bromine atom and the central fluorine atom. These symmetry elements classify the BrF3 molecule as belonging to the C2v point group.